Strawberry Yellow

I have read all of the Mas Arai mysteries so I was excited to receive this one. And--full disclosure--I do speak Japanese so the Japanese words were no problem for me.
I think that Strawberry Yellow is my favorite one so far. Hirahara has evolved nicely as a writer and this mystery felt tight, and also read very smoothly. You have to love Mas, who exemplifies all that is good in that first generation of Japanese-Americans. The strawberry-related plot was interesting, educational, and relevant. I had a little trouble keeping all the characters straight at first, but after reading this book I am excited about seeing what Mas gets into next.

One reason I enjoy the series of Mas Arai mysteries is their contribution to the description of the cultural diversity of California through the mystery genre. Strawberry Yellow also highlights the contrasting attitudes between the different geographical locations of Watsonville and Los Angeles.
The death of a patriarch among a community of Japanese-American strawberry growers exposes loyalties and resentments harbored through the generations since World War II.
Mas Arai explores these personal entanglements and uncovers truths some may have preferred to have left hidden.

I've read almost all of the Mas Arai mysteries and always enjoyed them. This one is no exception. I don't tend to read them for the mystery but for the examination of the Japanese American (and specifically the kibei) culture. The story itself is pretty leisurely, even though it's a short book, but the details of both the culture as well as the specific subject (in this case strawberries) are rich. Overall an enjoyable read. And if you haven't read the others in the series, I'd highly recommend them.

His cousin's funeral provides an occasion for Japanese American gardener Mas Arai to return to his hometown. Watsonville, California. Mas's cousin, Shug, was a strawberry farmer. Mas had lived on the farm for a couple of years in his late teens, but he hadn't been back to visit very often in the last 50 years. Mas generally minds his own business, so he's surprised to find himself involved in a murder investigation when a dead woman is discovered near Stem House after his late-night visit with Shug's son, Billy. Then Shug's widow, Minnie, tells Mas of her suspicion that Shug might have been poisoned. He's unable to turn down her request to stay a few days and see what he can learn about Shug's death.

I developed a fondness for Mas when I show more read the first book in the series a few years ago. The mystery plot is better developed in this book. Mas has a logical reason for poking around in the murders, and it doesn't seem like he's interfering with a police investigation. He's not particularly cooperative with the police, but his attitude is consistent with his character. The agricultural and cultural settings are integral to the plot, and the book has a strong sense of place. This book reads more like a cozy than the first book in the series does. It should appeal to cozy readers who like mysteries with unusual settings. It will work as a stand-alone. Readers who start here may, like me, find themselves wanting to go back and pick up the books they've missed.

This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. show less

Although mysteries are not my first choice of book genres, I did obviously request this book and like to vary my reading, so this was just fine. The pace of the story in the book was fairly slow and reminded me of Alexander McCall Smith's books about MMa Ramotswe in Africa without most of the charm. What I found quite interesting was the cut throat tactics of the plant engineers and their industry. This was an interesting view of how different varieties of plants come into existence. I would probably not seek out another book by this author although that's mostly personal preference rather than anything negative about the book. I'm glad I read it as it was a good change of pace for me.

As soon as I heard this was in the works, I pre-ordered it -- months and months ago -- and started reading it as soon as it arrived. I've really enjoyed all of the Mas Arai mysteries, and this is a great addition! For some reason while reading it I found it more melancholy than some of the previous books -- but that's OK, because the circumstances were sad... In the latter 1/4 of the book there are a couple of real shocks and unexpected twists. (I kind of hoped that Genessee would have a larger role, but maybe my hopes will be fulfilled in the next book...)

I like Hirahara's writing style. It's very smooth and a little spare, and I like the occasional mixture of Japanese words/phrases that enhance the authenticity. Mas is a real quirky show more character, and I've known some people kind of like that, so he really comes to life for me. show less

I haven't read previous books in this series and was very taken with the humility of Mas. He calls himself "just a gardener". Yet at his cousin's funeral and later, everyone greets him with respect accorded someone with wisdom. His cousin's widow asks him to check into the death. He would rather go back home but his sense of family obligation requires him to accede. Through good observation, reflection, and persistent questioning, he discovers enough facts. Getting the answers, tho, doesn't necessarily bring satisfaction, as the community is tight-knit from their early days after the internment camps. I sympathize with Mas' wariness of crowds and wonder about his life back in LA--I'll have to check out the other books.
The side plot with show more Robin Arai doesn't seem to go anywhere.
I wish there were a glossary for all the Japanese words. Some I could get from context, but I'm sure there were nuances that just passed over my head.
This review based on an Early Reader's copy. show less